Well… that was fun! Deadline Day saw a couple of moves that made the Nashville Predators a better, more balanced team. Nashville sent underachieving forward Kevin Fiala to the Minnesota Wild for Mikael Granlund, then sent last year’s deadline day pickup, Ryan Hartman to the Philadelphia Flyers for Wayne Simmonds. Oh… and by the way… then turned around and took down the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in a shootout and get back on the ice tonight in St. Louis. Yeah… nothing much going on.
Lots to unpack here, so let’s breakdown the trades before we get to the game.
The first trade that broke yesterday was Fiala for Granlund, straight up. Kevin Fiala is a nice player however he does appear to be squeezing the stick a bit in a contract year. Mikael Granlund is a proven NHL player, fully developed that you know what you are going to get from him. Granlund posted 67 points last season and is having another solid season in 2018/19… and he is signed for another year. The rumblings in Minnesota indicate a bit of unhappiness at this trade, the thinking there is that the Wild should have gotten more for Granlund… I can’t say that I disagree with that sentiment.
Then, about 20 minutes later… David Poile pulled the trigger on a second move, sending Ryan Hartman and a conditional pick to Philadelphia for power forward Wayne Simmonds. Simmonds should help the struggling Nashville power play and should add to the netfront presence delivered by Brian Boyle since the trade that brought the big forward to Nashville. The 30 year old could use a little invigorating and this move could be just the ticket for Simmonds. The reaction in Philly is markedly different… Simmonds is loved by Flyer fans and by his teammates, but they also realize the need for a move.
The immediate impact of both these players may be felt on the power play. Granlund will probably slot in on the second line and get some significant time on special teams. Simmonds will probably be on the opposite power play unit than Boyle, providing traffic in the slot.
Overall, the Nashville Predators improved the team for this season and next… and they did so without losing their 2019 or 2020 first round picks. They also did so without losing key prospects Dante Fabbro or Eeli Tolvanen. That is a win for David Poile.
On to last night’s game, where once again, the Nashville Predators came out slow against a team that they should beat. A team missing their captain due to suspension, a team kidding itself that they still are in the playoff hunt. So of course the Preds give up the first goal and as the teams went to the room for the first intermission, you could feel the “here we go again” attitude among Pred Nation, for good reason. But then, the Predators came out for the second a different team, started playing on their toes and were rewarded with two goals in 84 seconds that sent the team to the room for the second intermission with a 2-1 lead.
The third was a bit back and forth, but Leon Drasaitl made his presence felt for his second goal of the night to tie things up. Drasaitl was the only dangerous player on the ice for Edmonton last night and he took full advantage of his opportunities, unlike the Preds who just couldn’t seem to miss… the iron surrounding the goal.
Overtime decided nothing, the shootout saw a couple of sweet goals. Filip Forsberg just spanked goaltender Miikko Koskinen on a nasty shot and Brian Boyle showed an unexpected shootout prowess that won the game for Nashville and catapulted the team back into the Central Division lead…
Which is on the line tonight in St. Louis. We should get a first look at Simmonds in the lineup, he met the team when they arrived at the hotel late last night. The Blues, after ripping off an 11 game win streak, has lost two in a row, one in a shootout, one in OT. Nashville will be looking for payback for the back-to-back losses from two and a half weeks ago.
The Blues were fairly quiet at the deadline, making a minor deal for former Pred Michael del Zotto. Del Zotto will provide some depth for the blueline in St. Louis. Brayden Schenn has been placed on IR for the Blues and will not play tonight. The Preds IR list remains the same with Dan Hamhuis, Craig Smith, Miikka Salomaki and Zac Rinaldo listed.
In net, probably Juuse Saros for the Preds as Pekka Rinne went last night… rookie sensation Jordan Binnington should get the nod for the Blues. Game time is 7pm in St. Louis… game coverage on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports-Tennessee.
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The
Where We Stand section
Nashville is back in first place in the Central Division with a one point lead over the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg holds three games in hand over Nashville. The Preds lead St. Louis (3 GIH) by seven points, Dallas by 12, Minnesota by 13.
Nashville currently holds the 2 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Impact Games Tonight – 7pm – MIN @ WPG. 9pm – DAL @ VGK.
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Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update – The Admirals are in Texas for a Wednesday night tilt with the Stars.
- Deadline Day Baby – While Mikael Granlund was being traded to the Preds, his fiancée was in labor. Yikes… no pressure. Still not sure when Granlund will join the team.
- Meet Me in St. Louis – Expectations are that Wayne Simmonds will join the team today for tonight’s critical showdown with St. Louis.
- Watch Party – The Buffalo Wild Wings in Hendersonville is hosting the watch party tonight… join Deanna Kay, Zack McCann, Gnash and the Energy Team for a great time!
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